46 posts in this topic

The 2008 Highlander Hybrid is an exceptionally versatile package that allows you to haul the kids and their lanky pals in happy comfort without experiencing unnecessary gas pump trauma. It's always quiet and hassle-free, just like the neighbor's kid (not your own), and its green-friendly powertrain takes some of the guilt out of the constant motorized errands that are part of raising a young family. It's comfortable and useful without being so precious that you're afraid of parking it somewhere a rogue supermarket cart might find you. You might even be able to cancel that summer math tutor if you can get the kids involved in running fuel-economy calculations.

Maybe things would have turned out differently for schizophrenic Sybil if her mother had driven a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

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It's admittedly sharp from this particular angle. Note the in-bumper exhaust pipes. This would be one of the first mainstream vehicles to install the exhaust in this fashion, with the metal flush to the plastic of the bumper.

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The overall body is alright, but the wacky shapes of the front and back aren't very pretty. They don't match well with the surrounding surfaces. The interior looks very nice. Is the wood fake you real?

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It's admittedly sharp from this particular angle. Note the in-bumper exhaust pipes. This would be one of the first mainstream vehicles to install the exhaust in this fashion, with the metal flush to the plastic of the bumper.

*Looks closer* ...Are those reflectors!? Lame.

I actually agree, the rear is pretty sharp.

The interior is odd, though. It comes off both as expensive yet drab at the same time. The area on the upper dash looks like it was pulled right out of a newer Hyundai.

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The exhaust exits in the same place as my '57 Buick...and that is the last thing I find interesting in this trucklet. This is a car that I do not understand, or will I ever find it remotely attractive. The sell in quantity, and I cannot begin to understand why. What is it, the truck that tries to look like a 4 Runner but is built on a Camry but is bigger than a Rav4, but smaller than a Sequoia? What mission is it supposed to fill? And 23 mpg is good, but what can you do with it? Does it still tow?

I need to stop reading anything with the word Toyota in it...my blood pressure is already through the roof and I am tired of thier product and the idiots who buy them. Sorry, but is there a help group out there for people like me who are ANGRY at the stupid people who buy these toys and get self-righteous when doing so? Seriously, the next Toyo-bitch that looks at me sideways in my Corvette (that gets better mileage than this Hybrid does by the way!) and gives me that "You are ruining my precious Earth for my kids because you drive a Gas-Guzzling Sports Car" look will get ripped out of thier little battery powered shi* box and taught the meaning of HIGH VOLTAGE COLONIC with thier battery cables. I am sick of the attitude that goes along with the Toyota lifestyle. I wonder if the Highlander will have 6 HYBRID badges on all sides like the little brother Camry's 3? Serously, I am going to the gun range and shoot some target clays before I hurt someone.

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It always amazes me that the Jap Humpers come to a GM related site and expect us to like their cars!

You tell 'em!

Why not let other people with differing POV's speak their minds? Are we living in a Police State? And calling anything 'Japs' (or the gun diatribe by toesuf94 above) makes both of you sound like sociopaths, thus eliminating any opportunity to turn the 'humpers' opinion around.

I'm fine with you being a huge fan of GM. I'm even OK with your hatred of imported products...its the personal, seething deep down hatred and stupidity that really ruins the C&G experience for alot of us, whether we agree with your automotive opinions or not.

Jesus Christ it never ends, the Land Cruiser, the Rav 4, now this, Toyota is making ugly very appealing and I just wish the mainstream public would read up on their recalls in the last year or 2 and maybe finally prove that Toyotas only sell because of their "quality" and not their breathtaking designs. Once people realize the quality is not up to par...maybe GM can get it's foot back in the door long enough to shut it.

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It looks like a RAV4 pumped up on steroids (along with some 'bacne'). That being said, they'll still sell every one they produce...

Automotive News has this vehicle on the front cover of this week's edition with some fairly revealing admissions by Toyota that their quality assurance system needed extensive revamping and this vehicle's intro was delayed to get it right.

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Why not let other people with differing POV's speak their minds? Are we living in a Police State? And calling anything 'Japs' (or the gun diatribe by toesuf94 above) makes both of you sound like sociopaths, thus eliminating any opportunity to turn the 'humpers' opinion around.

I'm fine with you being a huge fan of GM. I'm even OK with your hatred of imported products...its the personal, seething deep down hatred and stupidity that really ruins the C&G experience for alot of us, whether we agree with your automotive opinions or not.

It's just a silly website, man. Lighten up, Francis.

Have I stopped anyone else from stating their opinion? No. Are we living in a Police State? Well I'm sure you heard of the Patriot Act, draw your own conclusion. The term Jap is used in English as an abbreviation of the word "Japanese.", doesn't make me a Sociopath. Sorry not buying your Political Correctness Bullsh*t today. The Humpers will not change their minds, those minds were set long ago as they rode in their Mommy's and Daddy's 80's version of what they try to peddle here now.

Oh, and I'm glad your fine with me being a huge fan of GM, but last I looked I don't need your permission to be one, more PC Bullsh*t of yours! Again not buying it from you today enzl. I'm sorry I ruined your C&G experience perhaps you should seek a therapist's help in resolving your issues. Cut me a break! :rolleyes:

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Have I stopped anyone else from stating their opinion? No. Are we living in a Police State? Well I'm sure you heard of the Patriot Act, draw your own conclusion. The term Jap is used in English as an abbreviation of the word "Japanese.", doesn't make me a Sociopath. Sorry not buying your Political Correctness Bullsh*t today. The Humpers will not change their minds, those minds were set long ago as they rode in their Mommy's and Daddy's 80's version of what they try to peddle here now.

Oh, and I'm glad your fine with me being a huge fan of GM, but last I looked I don't need your permission to be one, more PC Bullsh*t of yours! Again not buying it from today enzl. I'm sorry I ruined your C&G experience perhaps you should seek a therapist's help in resolving your issues. Cut me a break! :rolleyes:

Love,

PCS

"Jap' is offensive. period. I've complained about it's use before and I'm now officially requesting you don't use it.

It's like the n word or any other slur that makes you sound like an idiot. whether I'm being PC or not, you wouldn't use the n word to make a point here...so don't use that word either. If you need help dragging your knuckles along the keyboard those few extra letters, than don't bother posting.

And, as usual, your simian mind gets all bent out of shape because of a legitimate criticism. And your response is angry and bitter---probably your personality, but that's your problem.

And if you don't mind ruining the experience here for others, than I'd add selfish to your list of descriptives as well.

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"Jap' is offensive. period. I've complained about it's use before and I'm now officially requesting you don't use it.

It's like the n word or any other slur that makes you sound like an idiot. whether I'm being PC or not, you wouldn't use the n word to make a point here...so don't use that word either. If you need help dragging your knuckles along the keyboard those few extra letters, than don't bother posting.

And, as usual, your simian mind gets all bent out of shape because of a legitimate criticism. And your response is angry and bitter---probably your personality, but that's your problem.

And if you don't mind ruining the experience here for others, than I'd add selfish to your list of descriptives as well.

Sorry I don't take orders from you enzl. A Simian mind is better than the Ameba sized one that you attempt to use. Also if the moderators feel they need to edit my post they can, that's why they are there. I don't see that title under your name.

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Sorry I don't take orders from you enzl. A Simian mind is better than the Ameba sized one that you attempt to use. Also if the moderators feel they need to edit my post they can, that's why they are there. I don't see that title under your name.

Kisses!

If I were a moderater, I would. It doesn't offend me personally, but enzl did make a legitimate request.

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If I were a moderater, I would. It doesn't offend me personally, but enzl did make a legitimate request.

Back to the vehicle...what I really hate about Toyota's latest products is that many of them have these "bulging" head and tail lights...it ruins the lines of the vehicles, makes them look bug-eyes, and just looks silly.

The integrated exhaust is kinda cool, but they they seem to far out toward the corners. Many of the design flaws could be fixed with revised front and rear fascias and reshaped head and tail lights.

No complaints about the interior except for that ugly 4-spoke wheel they keep using.

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"Jap' is offensive. period. I've complained about it's use before and I'm now officially requesting you don't use it.

It's like the n word or any other slur that makes you sound like an idiot. whether I'm being PC or not, you wouldn't use the n word to make a point here...so don't use that word either. If you need help dragging your knuckles along the keyboard those few extra letters, than don't bother posting.

And, as usual, your simian mind gets all bent out of shape because of a legitimate criticism. And your response is angry and bitter---probably your personality, but that's your problem.

And if you don't mind ruining the experience here for others, than I'd add selfish to your list of descriptives as well.

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Don't know where you're getting all that from. That is one of the best and highest quality interiors in any Toyota to date.

Non-nav model

Well IMO it looks like crap. I don't like unseamless interiors that have knobs bulging out. Looks like the made the interior and then shrunk it around the parts that wouldn't move. Simply put Toyota contiues to make ANOTHER vehicle that doesn't appeal to me, and not just because I'm a GM fan ither.

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Well IMO it looks like crap. I don't like unseamless interiors that have knobs bulging out. Looks like the made the interior and then shrunk it around the parts that wouldn't move. Simply put Toyota contiues to make ANOTHER vehicle that doesn't appeal to me, and not just because I'm a GM fan ither.

I actually like that aspect...it's like thinking outside the box...or universal HVAC and stereo controls that are in a box that appear in every damn model, if you will.

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The interior looks 'Korean' but I'm not sure whose fault that is, whether it's Toyota's for not having any original ideas, or if it's the Koreans for copying everyone. If anything, I just hate the 'plood' on the console and on the interior door handles.

As for the exterior, it's pretty much what I'd expect for a Toyota... not really offensive, and not really beautiful or eye-catching.

I noticed this line in the review...

Growing families, put that Tahoe angst out of your mind. There's no reason to believe that your future lies in some hulking sport-utility based on a gas-swilling pickup truck.

Nice one Edmunds... ... I would have preferred something like these...

Growing families, put that Sequoia angst out of your mind. There's no reason to believe that your future lies in some hulking sport-utility based on a gas-swilling pickup truck.

Growing families, put that Armada angst out of your mind. There's no reason to believe that your future lies in some hulking sport-utility based on a gas-swilling pickup truck.